Safety of paranasal sinus surgery in patients with cystic fibrosis

Objective: Document the safety of paranasal sinus surgery in cystic fibrosi s patients and review the changing trends in paranasal sinus surgery in the cystic fibrosis population. Study Design: Retrospective review. Materials and Methods: Chart review of cystic fibrosis patients who underwent paranas al sinus surgery from 1955 to 1997, Results: Indications for surgery includ ed chronic sinusitis, nasal obstruction, purulent rhinorrhea, head pain, an d pyocele, Average duration of anesthesia was 2.1 hours. The complication r ate from general anesthesia was zero. Excessive bleeding and significant hy poxia did not occur. Conclusions: Paranasal sinus surgery and general anest hesia can be safely performed in cystic fibrosis patients. The indications for paranasal sinus surgery are changing from symptomatic nasal obstruction to pre-lung transplantation care, Today, treatment has evolved to include placement of sinus catheters for direct topical instillation of antibiotics and consideration of maxillary and frontal sinus obliteration.